Kissing Shakespeare (26 page)

He nodded and headed back to the door, turning briefly. “Wear the crimson gown tonight, and make sure Bess arranges your hair.”

“Leave me alone,” I said, flopping backward on the bed.

After Stephen left, I lay there a long time going over the pros and cons of making love with Shakespeare. In the plus column was the fact that nothing else seemed to be keeping him from caving in to Thomas. While Will hadn’t made any major moves on me, other than a few kisses, I knew he liked me, especially since I was interested in his writing and acting. I was pretty sure he’d be a willing partner. In fact, there’d been a few times when I’d thought he was seducing
me
. Stephen, acting all cold and formal, had hurt me. After everything we’d shared, I was hoping he’d say there was no way he would
let
me do it. Maybe my going through with it would drive him wild with jealousy.
Right
.

On the negative side, I simply didn’t know if I had the audacity to carry it off. I realized this was the complete opposite of how I’d felt before, and certainly the opposite of the impression I’d been going out of my way to give Stephen. At first I’d been awed by Will. Just being in his company had been a thrill. It still was. Losing my virginity to him, someone I so admired and revered, would be so cool. And there was that ridiculous idea of one-upping my mother—as if she’d ever know.

But all this was before Stephen. Before I’d fallen for him. I desperately wished he would be the one I’d be making love with tonight.

And then I was struck by an idea so perfect, so obvious, and so right, I wondered why I hadn’t thought of it sooner. I needed help planning the seduction. Not only planning, but practicing. Who better than my host, my guide, and, coincidentally, the man I truly desired … Master Stephen Langford?
Brilliant, Olivia!

I flew off my bed and went in search of my prey.

He wasn’t in his chamber, the library, the billiard room, or any of the drawing rooms. I was about to give up when I heard his voice drifting in from outdoors. Peering out the windows, I glimpsed him striding through the courtyard, dressed in riding clothes. My knees turned to jelly.

Back in my room, I swept the hairbrush through my hair a few times; then I straightened my skirts, smoothed my bodice, and fervently wished I had some blush and mascara. Meanwhile, I heard Stephen moving around next door, and after a decent interval, I moseyed on over.

“Knock, knock,” I said, peeking in. He’d stripped down to his shirt and was drying his hands and face with a towel. I could tell by his look he was surprised to see me.

“Olivia. Do you need something?”

I sauntered over to him and gave him my version of a smoldering look. “Yes. I need your advice regarding tonight. The … events … of tonight.”

He must have guessed I was up to something, because he narrowed his eyes at me and tilted his head to one side. “Indeed?”

“Indeed. Can you spare me some time?”

He sighed. “Very well.” He stood there staring at me, waiting.

“Not here,” I hissed. “We could be overheard, or someone could walk in.”

“The library, then?”

“Oh, no.” I shook my head slowly. “We need more privacy than that.”

Now he really looked suspicious. Turning his back on me, he went to his wardrobe and found a doublet. When he’d finished fastening it, he said, “Come. You’d best get your cloak. And bring Cop, if he’s there.”

Once outside, we set off for the forest, picking our way around trees, fallen logs, and ferns. I was glad to have Copernicus loping along beside us, since there was nothing between Stephen and me but silence. Before long, a few rough buildings came into view in a clearing.

“Where are we?”

“These are sheepfolds and shepherds’ huts.” After rapping on the door of one of the thatch-roofed huts, Stephen pushed it open. He commanded Copernicus to stay, and we entered. “Cop will alert us if anyone approaches.”

“Aren’t we trespassing?” The hut was snug and clean, the floor covered with fresh-smelling rushes. The only furnishings were a small wooden table and a bench. There was no fireplace, but I’d noticed some fire rings outside. We sat next to each other on the bench.

“The shepherds are hospitable folk. If they should find us, they would probably think it an honor. Now, would you care to tell me what we’re doing here?”

I sucked in a deep breath. “I think we should practice the seduction.”

“What you should say?”

“No. What I should
do
.”

“Ah. Do. Well, then.” He barked a laugh. “What game are you playing, Olivia?”

“This is
not
a game, Stephen. I told you I’ve never seduced anybody.”

He dropped his forehead into his palms and nodded. “I remember.”

“I think you should teach me.”

He kept his head in his hands. Was he going to refuse?

Finally he looked up. “What is your plan as to how things will proceed tonight?”

I gave an exasperated shrug. “Talk. Dance. Flirt. Suggest we go somewhere we can be alone. Then—”

Eyes laughing, he said, “I am familiar with the rest.”

“Wonderful, because your job now is to show me.”

Looking at me mischievously, he slapped his hands on his thighs. “Very well. Let’s get started. How many men have you kissed, Olivia? Besides Will and myself, and that youth in the play?”

“Dozens!” My face burned at the lie.

“Truly? You just said you were not practiced in seduction.”

“But I’ve
kissed
lots of guys. I’m not a total dork!”

“Mayhap I should have put it differently. Do you still maintain you’ve never made love with any of the
dozens
you’ve kissed?”

“You know I haven’t.”

“You are right, then. It would mayhap be wise for me to instruct you.” He scooted closer to me, so our thighs were touching. I inched away, and my cheeks burned hotter.

“Is something wrong? I thought you wished to practice with me. We must begin with kissing. ’Tis the sweetest part of wooing.”

My heart beat wildly. “No, everything’s fine,” I said, without moving any closer.

“Come, Olivia. I have kissed you before, and I do not believe you found my kisses offensive.”

His brown eyes were unreadable. Even though I knew he was calling my bluff, I wasn’t about to back down now. I slowly reached up and stroked his cheek, and he smiled.

“I love your overlapping tooth,” I said, and immediately felt back in control of things.

“I knew someday I would be glad of it.” He set his hands on my shoulders and leaned in to kiss me.

At the touch of his lips, my heart gave a gentle leap. I threw my arms around his neck, and his hands brushing down my arms made me lightheaded. He grasped me around the waist and pressed me close, both of us trembling.

It was barely a whisper, but I heard him say, “Ah, Olivia.” Drawing back, Stephen looked at me with glazed eyes. “If he does not kiss you, you may have to—”

“Make the first move. I know,” I said, placing my mouth back against the warmth of his.

At last we broke the embrace. “What should I do after we kiss?” I asked. “Should I touch him—?”

“No! He will know what to do next. Good God, Olivia, give the man a chance.”

“But I’m seducing
him
. Maybe he’ll try to resist me.”

“Ha! I assure you, he will not.”

“Humor me. As I was saying, maybe I should put my hand here?” I rested my hand on his thigh and slid it slowly upward. Stephen slapped it away. I couldn’t believe I was being so bold.

“Enough, Olivia! I’m warning you—”

I loved seeing him flustered. “About what?” I asked, batting my eyes. “Should I undo his doublet? And slide my hands up under his shirt, like this? Along his bare skin? Would he like that?”

I hadn’t reckoned on how electrifying the touch of Stephen’s skin would be. I was seriously thinking about climbing onto his lap when he rocketed off the bench, cursing. “God’s breath! This must stop, Olivia.”

“But—”

Just then, the door burst open. A man I’d never seen before entered, obviously shocked at seeing us there. “Sir?” He looked from Stephen to me blankly.

Stephen adjusted his clothing as he spoke. “James, I beg your pardon. My sister and I needed a private place to talk. We were just leaving.”

I rose, and after a quick curtsy to poor James, I followed Stephen outside. Dozens of black-faced sheep, bleating loudly, were milling around, bumping against each other. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard them. Stephen snapped his fingers at Copernicus, who seemed inclined to hang around with the sheep.

“So much for your great watchdog,” I commented as I hurried to keep up with him.

“He barked. I heard him.”

“Why didn’t you warn me?”

“I barely noticed, so caught up was I in your little scheme!”

“Slow down! My ‘little scheme’? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know what I am speaking of. Your clumsy attempt to seduce me, when it is Shakespeare you must entrap!”

I opened my mouth, but found myself stuttering. I couldn’t deny the truth of what he’d said, and a stab of pain, deep and visceral, cut into me. He had not only inserted the knife, but also twisted it. He didn’t welcome my attentions, and he thought they were
clumsy
, for God’s sake! Even worse, he wanted to humiliate me for foisting myself on him.

“It would be best if I went ahead of you. You can walk at a more leisurely pace. I shall see you at dinner,” he said coldly.

“Fine,” I bit off. Tears gushed from my eyes and flowed down my cheeks, and I was grateful he’d left me to walk alone. At that moment, I wished fiercely that I were home in Boston, in my predictable, safe little cocoon. It might not be perfect, but it was better than rejection.

I would take great pains to prepare for the evening, so I’d look gorgeous. I would look so beautiful and desirable that King Henry, were he still alive, would want me for his seventh wife. Shakespeare, Stephen, Fulke, every man present would desire me. I’d flirt with the others and reject Stephen, and he could cry into his pillow every night, from now until forever. I doubted that guys did that, but however it happened, I hoped he’d suffer.

I
DRESSED WITH CARE
in the red gown and wore my finest silk smock underneath … and nothing else, no kirtle or petticoat. I even asked Bess to put a rose from the garden in my hair. A pale pink, to contrast with the red of the gown. By the time I was ready for the evening meal, I still hadn’t made up my mind about tonight’s outcome. I intended to flirt with Will and see how it went. For starters, I’d sit beside him at dinner and try to “woo” him. Prominently featured in my plan was driving Stephen wild with jealousy.

I headed downstairs early and was one of the first to arrive. Lingering by the table on the dais, I noticed once again what a magnificent room the banqueting hall was. The days were growing longer, and the last bit of daylight was seeping in through the windows. The flames from hundreds of tapers bathed wood and stone and tapestries in a warm radiance. Above the hall, the railings surrounding the gallery were festooned with spring greens and flowers. Someone had gone to a lot of trouble to impress the visitors.

Right after Will arrived I sidled over to him and said something really seductive, like “Good even, sir. May I sit next to you?” Of course, he smiled and said he’d be honored. He was too polite to say anything else. Jennet was eyeing us from across the table, but Stephen sat down and distracted her.

Bess had told me Elizabeth arrived home earlier today, but I hadn’t seen her yet. In a moment, Alexander entered the room with his wife on his arm, and I thought he looked healthier already. The visitors accompanied them, and we all rose while the two men were introduced. They were dressed in leather doublets and trunk hose. One looked middle-aged, the other, younger. “Allow me to present my guests,” Alexander said, “Master Timothy Hale and Master Robert Lowry. They are stopping here on their way west, where they have business.”

After the hand washing, I grabbed my tankard of ale and drank about half of it. “I am looking forward to the dancing tonight,” I said to Will.